Stoke vs Sheffield United Prediction: Blades to take out their frustrations on the Potters

Sheffield United's automatic promotion dream faded on Monday as they were beaten by rivals Burnley, securing the Clarets and Leeds United's places in the Premier League next season. Sheffield United now must prepare for the play-offs, which will strike fear into the hearts of all those of a red and white persuasion in the Steel City. The Blades head to Stoke City in the Championship on Friday (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Potters were thrashed 6-0 at Leeds on Monday as they sit four points above the relegation zone with two games left to play. Read on for my Stoke vs Sheffield United predictions, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Stoke are still light in defensive areas with Michael Rose and Enda Stevens unavailable due to injury. Sol Sidibe is another in the medical room for the Potters.

Eric Bocat was absent against Leeds having been forced off against Sheffield Wednesday in the game before, and he looks likely to miss out on Friday. Junior Tchamadeu replaced him at right-back and he should continue in that role against the Blades.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand was fit to start on Monday but he was taken off at half-time.

Ali Al-Hamadi led the line last time out but Sam Gallagher will be pushing for a recall but the other attacking spots should remain filled by Lewis Baker, Million Manhoef and Bae Jun-ho.

United were able to start Gustavo Hamer against Burnley despite the midfielder picking up a knock in the Good Friday clash with Cardiff City. Jamie Shackleton (foot) and Ollie Arblaster (ACL) remain the Blades' two long-term injury absentees.

Automatic promotion is no longer a viable option for the visitors and while Monday's defeat was devastating, they must regroup for the final two matches of the campaign as they might need some momentum in preparation for the play-offs.

Chris Wilder may be tempted to make a couple of changes so there could be opportunities ahead for the likes of Callum O'Hare, Tyrese Campbell and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Stoke vs Sheffield United Odds

Stoke have won three of their previous four league clashes at home and they are 11/8 to pile more misery on the Blades, who have lost three away fixtures on the bounce.

Sheffield United did win four consecutive away matches in a row before that, though, and they are 9/5 (which has an implied probability of 35.7%) to bounce back with a victory on Friday.

The hosts have drawn two of their last five games in the second tier and the stalemate is available at 21/10.

Campbell is Sheffield United's top scorer in the Championship with 10 goals and he was on the scoresheet when these two sides met at Bramall Lane back in October. He is 11/5 to strike anytime in the Potteries.

Under 2.5 goals has been a successful bet in four of Stoke's past five outings in the league and it can be backed at 4/6 on this occasion.

Sheffield United to win @ 9/5

Monday was crushing for Sheffield United as they knew that their only chance of promotion now lies in the dreaded play-offs, something that is synonymous with misery in the red half of Sheffield.

The Blades have been through the emotional rollercoaster eight times in the past and have failed to prevail each and every time. Wilder has specified that he and his players need to rewrite history, and to help them achieve this, they will need to end the regular season strongly.

There is no time for them to feel sorry for themselves. They have to get back to work and make sure they are raring to go for the end-of-season eliminator.

Confidence has been dented ahead of their trip to Stoke-on-Trent, but the good news is that their hosts are also downbeat. The Potters shipped six goals at Leeds with five coming in the first half.

Mark Robins' men are not out of the woods in terms of their fight for survival and a defeat here could leave them with a very nervy final day clash with Derby County, who are also scrambling towards the bottom of the table.

The Blades were blunted on Monday but I think they will come back sharper on Friday as I am expecting a very shaky Stoke performance following their drubbing in west Yorkshire.

Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6

Under 2.5 goals has been a successful bet in 52% (23/44) of their league games this season. At the bet365 Stadium, this has been a winning selection in 59% (13/22) of their Championship appearances, including four of their previous five.

The Potters have seen fewer than three goals scored in four of their past five appearances in the second tier (home and away).

Sheffield United have experienced under 2.5 goals in three of their last five games in the league ahead of their trip to ST4.

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